My main grumble with cannondale is they have a much nicer touring bike that they Export to the rest of the world , but not sell in the states, [and probably Canada].
like a fully equipped tubus rack sks fenderd Rohloff hubbed shock forked 26" wheel rough road world travel bike.
but all US gets is the 700c wheeled stuff they have been selling for 20 years, and they are stripped down..
want all the other stuff? the dealer sells at keystone, or may take 10% off so markup at point of sale is only 90%..
they even replied when I asked why, uS is not a serious Cycle market, implying the Brits and Germans are,
so they can buy a line of bikes unavailable to US'
Could it be tied into their having 4 weeks of paid vacation time over there ,
as opposed to made to feel being lucky if you have a job to come back to, after 2.?
. . . . . . . . . .
FWIW having a stiff oversized aluminum tube structure is the key to aluminum frames that work in the long run,
flexing will invite cracking.
It's why No aluminum springs are made.
so the stiff frame is a long lasting frame when its made of aluminum,
a stiff frame will handle predictably when its loaded down,
so for touring that's Fine.
Last edited by fietsbob; 07-31-10 at 11:20 AM.